Last year’s event brought together public and private businesses, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and New York State agencies for two days of hands-on workshops and networking opportunities. Over 100 Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOBs) and more than 130 state agency and authority personnel participated in the inaugural conference and job fair.

This year’s VETCON will feature speakers of national notoriety serving as mentors during seminar sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in valuable hands-on workshops designed specifically for them, in addition to taking part in numerous informational and networking sessions with businesses, organizations and state agency purchasing personnel. Practical workshops will include information about how to certify a veteran-owned business and obtain federal and state contract set asides, proposal and business plan writing, business fundamentals, and matchmaking between entrepreneurial business and government agencies. Funds raised after cost of the conference has been paid for will be donated toward the advancement of veterans’ services.

“No group is more worthy of support than our veterans who are transitioning from service. Our goal of this conference is to utilize local and national business leaders, non-profit organizations, state and federal government to provide veterans with the tools that they need to be successful in their businesses or careers,” said Greg T. Rinckey, Esq., a founding partner with the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC, which is sponsoring and underwriting the event.

For more information, visit www.VetConNY.com or contact Kelsey Knutsen at (518) 218-7100 or .

posted on September 01 , 2016 posted by vetconadmin In Press Releases0 comment

VETCON Now Accepting Submissions for Business Plan CompetitionWinners will be awarded with in-kind legal, financial, and consulting services.

September 19, 2016- Albany, N.Y.- Today, The Veterans in Economic Transition Conference (VETCON) announced that it will begin accepting submissions for their first-ever Business Plan Competition. The Business Plan Competition will provide professional and financial support to veterans who are considering starting a company or currently have an early stage venture. The Veterans in Economic Transition Conference will be held on Oct. 24 and 25, 2016 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY.

“We’re eager to assist Veteran business owners and aspiring owners develop the best plan possible so that they are on the right track for success,” said Scott DeMarco, VETCON Alliance member and organizer of the competition. “We’re helping Veterans ignite their entrepreneurial spirit, and giving them tools to overcome obstacles that might otherwise keep them from achieving their mission.”

Interested Veterans should visit http://www.vetconny.com to learn more about the Business Plan Competition. All business plans should be submitted to Scott DeMarco at sdemarco@bstco.com by October 3, 2016

Important Dates:

Oct. 3 – All participants must submit their applications and executive summaries.

Oct. 15– Three teams will be notified that they will present at VETCON.

Oct. 20– The three presenting teams must submit content for their 15-minute presentations.

Oct. 25– First, second and third place winners announced at VETCON 2016 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY

“VETCON will offer Veteran Business owners the opportunity to hear from expert panelist, attend workshops, and network with other Veterans,” said Mario Cometti, Chairman of the VETCON Alliance. “We want to work with our Veterans to provide them with the resources they need to be successful. We’re committed to giving back to these Veterans who have already made sacrifices for us.”

This conference is the first of its kind in the Capital Region to help veterans as they make transitions into their future professional careers. It is an unprecedented collection of public and private businesses, non-profit and for-profit organizations, and government agencies gathering together for a worthy initiative.

ABOUT VETCON: The VETCON Alliance is meant to aid veterans facing socio-economic hardships, and promote growth through education, entrepreneurship and employment. In order to achieve this purpose, the alliance will provide indispensable resources to veterans at VETCON, and through future endeavors.

posted on August 11 , 2016 posted by vetconadmin In Press Releases0 comment

Veterans in Economic Transition Conference promotes new opportunities and growth for veterans through
education, entrepreneurship and employment.Aug. 11, 2016 – Albany, N.Y. – A first of its kind conference in the Capital Region will be held to help veterans as they transition into their future professional careers. The Veterans in Economic Transition Conference (VETCON) is an unprecedented collection of public and private businesses, non-profit and for-profit organizations and government agencies gathering together for a worthy initiative.

VETCON will be held on Oct. 24-25, 2016 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY. The event will provide support, advice and direction to startups and existing businesses owned by veterans. It will also include networking opportunities with speakers of national notoriety serving as mentors during seminar sessions. It is the goal of the conference to assist current or future veteran business owners, assist veterans to find employment and provide educational resources for those who are transitioning their lives or careers.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to take part in valuable hands-on workshops designed specifically for them, in addition to participating in numerous informational and networking sessions with businesses, organizations and New York state agency purchasing personnel. Practical workshops will include information about how to certify a veteran owned business and obtain federal and state contract set asides, proposal and business plan writing, business fundamentals, and matchmaking between entrepreneurial businesses and government agencies. Funds that are raised after cost of the conference has been paid for will be donated toward the advancement of veteran’s services.

“No group is more worthy of support than our veterans who are transitioning from service. Our goal of this conference is to utilize local and national business leaders, non-profit organizations, state and federal government to provide veterans with the tools that they need to be successful in their businesses or careers” said Greg T. Rinckey, Esq., a founding partner with the law firm Tully Rinckey PLLC, which is sponsoring and underwriting the event. “This conference will be the first of its kind in the Capital Region and we are very pleased with the level of support that we have received so far to make this event possible.”

“Veterans have already given so much to us through their service to this country,” said former congressman Michael McNulty, who helped found the Michael R. McNulty Center for Veteran Entrepreneurial Activity. “It is now our responsibility to ensure that when they return, they are able to transition back into their civilian lives. VETCON will be an excellent starting point for veterans looking for a new career or new business opportunities.”

“The Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership prides itself on helping veterans pivot into new career opportunities,” said Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership president Peter Gannon. “Businesses aren’t always sure how to utilize the vast number of skills veterans have. VetCon is an opportunity for veterans who want to start or grow a business and connect them with the companies that will learn there is no more reliable partner in business than a United States veteran.”

The conference was conceived and developed by Tully Rinckey PLLC. The firm is working with an alliance that includes the New York State Office of General Services Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development Division, the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, the Michael R. McNulty Center for Veteran Entrepreneurial Activity, Service to the Armed Forces Program of the American Red Cross of Eastern New York, Living Resources, SaxBST LLP, University at Albany’s Center for Advancement & Understanding of Social Enterprises, University at Albany’s Division of Research, Direct Impact Associates LLC, Sandler Training, and Gramercy Communications.

Registration prior to Aug. 31, 2016 is $100 per day and attendees may begin registering now. Fees increase to $150 per day starting in September.